An evaluation of the anti-bacterial action of ceramic powder slurries using multi-parameter flow cytometry

Multi-parameter flow cytometric techniques have been used to study the effe cts of three ceramic powders CaO, MgO and ZnO on the physiology of individu al, exponentially growing E. coli cells. Whilst all three powders inhibited reproductive growth, depending on their concentration, the mechanism of ac tion of CaO and MgO was different to that of ZnO as shown by fluorescent st aining techniques developed in our laboratory.